Director of People & Culture Transformation

About the role

SUMWON STUDIOS is seeking a commercially‑minded Director of People & Culture Transformation to turn people and culture into a competitive advantage. You will own hiring, development, measurement and retention across a fast‑growing multi‑brand platform operating in Dubai, Manchester and other markets.

Key responsibilities

• Own the company‑wide workforce and hiring plan, aligning roles with business priorities and budget.
• Lead recruitment through the Head of Recruitment, setting standards for senior hires with clear scorecards and structured assessments.
• Design and implement a performance framework that differentiates high performers, solid contributors and under‑performers.
• Partner with the COO and senior leaders on organisational design, reporting lines and workforce planning.
• Drive retention and reward strategies, developing compensation and progression frameworks for UAE and UK markets.
• Oversee People Operations and compliance across UAE and UK, ensuring governance and legal adherence.
• Embed AI and automation throughout the People function to create lean, scalable processes.

Required profile

• Proven track record building or rebuilding People functions in lean, fast‑growing businesses.
• Commercial mindset with ability to link people decisions to financial performance.
• Experience influencing C‑suite and Board members and making difficult people decisions.
• Strong knowledge of UAE and UK employment practices; experience across both jurisdictions is a plus.
• Background in fashion, retail, e‑commerce or similarly fast‑paced consumer sectors.

Required skills

• AI implementation and automation in People processes.
• People analytics and data‑driven measurement.
• Organisational design and workforce planning.

What we offer

• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after the first year.
• 30% employee discount across SUMWON STUDIOS brands.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Company social events and a high‑performing global team.